Supermasters Class In 2012 Rocky Trail Downhill Series

[stackyard59]

Thought I would write a few lines on the goings on in this current series.
Although this class category is for the 50 to 59 years competitors, it has been keenly contested so far, by six full time riders, with some very respectable times being put in. Unlike the under 19’s and Elite competitors, race runs are limited to one timed run only for the others classes, so if you screw it up your done till the next round.
The first round kicked off at the Del Rio track. Weather was cool but conditions dry. The push up from the shuttle drop off was interesting, with a rock climb nearer the top which got a bit slippery over time and made you a tad more cautious. Not a huge length track, but it does have some steep and technical sections which did catch a few of us out on the race run. Dodging the wayward golf balls from the weekend hackers on the return to the shuttle bus was just as tricky.
Steve Bullard dialled in the best time of 2.47.7. 2nd was Mike Green 2.50.23. 3rd was Giles Finney with a time of 3.02.60.
The second round was held at Coffs Harbour. This track is lengthy, varied and is a favourite of many riders. Saturday was dry and the track fast as, but the weather gods didn’t favour us on Sunday and down it came, making the track a slippery slimy tank slapper for some.
Mike Green handled these conditions best with a 4.41.17, 2nd was Steve Bullard 4.46.32, 3rd was Giles Finney 5.01.77
The 3rd round was held at Lithgow. This was much anticipated round, with a newly built track just recently finished and riders keen to check it out. Bitter conditions greeted us for Saturday practice, but it mostly cleared for Sunday and the track was quick and the race was a hotly contested one.
Mike Green dialled in a 2.12.08, just edging out only by a whisker Steve Bullard, with a 2.12.68, followed by the ever consistent Giles Finney with a 5.10.77.
For the rest of us competing in this class, we keep at it, enjoy every moment, and when we dial a time that’s beats those younger ones, well that makes us feel even better. So if you get a chance at all to come and watch the next round at Stromlo, catch us up, would love to talk to you.

 

[stackyard59]

The 4th round and N.S.W State Tittles round of the 2012 Redass Rocky Trail Down Hill have now been run.
Round 4 was held at Stromlo Forrest Park. Six competitors entered for the Supermaster class. Cool mornings greeted riders for practice, but the days came clear, with the track being dry, a bit dusty and slippery in some sections. For some, this was the first try of the newer top rock garden section, which replaced the old one, thank god. The shuttles were on the money for this meet, so practice runs ran super smooth. But mechanical problems dogged both Giles Finney, with a broken rear hub and a pinch flat, and Steve Coles with blown forks seals, hindering their practice time. Steve Bullard got down the mountain quickest on the day, with a time of 2.53.49. Mike Green came in just two seconds later with a time of 2.55.85. Third was Trevor Shone with a time of 3.06.77. This leaves both Steve and Mike equal on top of the points table, and will prove a classic finish for the final round to be held at Thredbo on the 17th of November.
The N.S.W State Down Hill Tittles was run at the Ourimbah track on the 6th of this month. Although run by the Rocky Trail team, this was not included in the point’s score of the other rounds. The weather was an ugly 37 degrees on the Friday before, overcast with a bit of drizzle for practice on Saturday and clear on Sunday. This track is a lot of fun, and was in prime condition. It has a long pedal section in the middle, which can be a struggle. Seven entries were received for the day. Mike Green won the title with a time of 4.11.21, Steve Bullard came in second with a time of 4.25.73. Trevor Shone came in third with a time of 4.36.39. One of the highlights of the day was the commentary by Paul King ,very humorous indeed. Sadly, one of the low lights of the day was Steve Humphries DNF, crashing on his run down and breaking a collar bone. Hope you get better soon Steve.

 

[jrewing]

The don't call him "Greeny Armstrong" for nothin. The guys juiced off his tits!

 

[mikegreen]

The don't call him "Greeny Armstrong" for nothin. The guys juiced off his tits!

So Josh, i suppose you will be wanting all that sponsorship money back?

 

[stackyard59]

The 5th and final round of the 2012 Rocky Trail Downhill series has been run, won, and celebrated, bruises and all, at Thredbo last weekend. Equal on top of the point score for the Supers, with 720 points each after the last four rounds, was Steve Bullard and Michael Green, with Giles Finney on 545, Steve Coles on 470,Trevor Shone on 440,Steve Humphries on 315,and Dug Black on 110. So this round was crunch time for the top two to battle it out for top spot till next season. Seven entries were received for the supers, but only five raced. Steve Humphries, who is still recovering from injuries, didn’t come along, and Albert Bacci did do some runs on Saturday, but didn’t race Sunday. The track at Thredbo has had some grooming since last season, including a upgraded double at the mid-section jump rock and the finish jump. Saturday practice was very busy and business like (last round, last chance) for all classes, with the weather gifting us with a dry track that was quick as, with many riders sectioning up the track, due to it’s length. Didn’t hear or see a lot of late night action for Saturday night, so I guess riders were focused on the job at hand for Sunday. Crap! The weather gods had a different story for all on Sunday indeed. It started out ok, but as it proceeded towards our classes start time at about 1pm, it was dodgy. So up we went on the ski lift, with Armageddon views approaching and down it came, full on pelleted style snow! We found another use for our goggles. Luckily it didn’t last all that long, and didn’t seem to affect the track. Was a different story for the latter classes with a snow affected track slowing run times for some. Due to the length of the track and the fatigue factor, it was good to see all Supers made it down clean. Mike Green got the win with a time of 7.03.7, Steve Bullard came in 2nd with a time of 7.05.6, Trevor Shone came in 3rd with a time of 7.39.6, Giles Finney came in 4th with a time of 7.59.0, and Steve Coles came in 5th with a time of 8.04.5. Someone had to take the overall points score out, and both Steve and Mike would be deserved winners. In the end it was Mike Green who took out the season with 920 points, Steve Bullard a close second with 880 points, Giles Finney came in with a very consistent third with 670 points. A big thanks has to go to the team at Rocky Trail, and to all those officials and volunteers who made the seasons racing possible. For some, the season hasn’t ended at all, with the Victorian State DH rounds already underway and proceeding all through summer.